The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-06-28
THE BRAZILIAN PEOPLE.
what Lieutenant Barnes, U. 8. NJ, Saw d
Rio de Janeiro.

"Aos AAoosonsnt Barnes, U. y. Ne, saw u
Rio de ysneiro.
Two things will particularly attract
the notice of . visitor to Rio, the street
illumination and the street cars OF
bonds, as they are called. because the
bonds issued to pay for them have
never been redeemed. The gas lamps
are unusually numerous in sll parts OF
the city, and their lines extend even to
The most remote suburbs. The Santa
Theresa walk, which has not building
upon it save an uncompleted hospital.
has gas lamps at intervals of about
fifty yards for its whole length. This
seemed so surprising I made inquiry in
regard to it, and received a satisfactory
explanation. The contract for estab-
fishing the plant for Illuminating the
city by gas was given to an American,
and he was to be paid certain
amount per lamp, therefore he put in
IS many lamps as an elastic conscience
would permit. The result is Rio is one
of the best lighted cities in the world.
The street cars are noticeable for
their number, their long routes, their
different sizes, the rapid rate at which
they travel and the fact that they are
drawn by mules instead of horses;
mules are used for all draught pur-
poses, horses only for riding. Mules
draw the heaviest trucks and the finest
carriages. / saw long funeral process
sion in which every vehicle. hesrse in
cluded, was drawn by mules, and they
did not look ungainly either. The
mule when well kept and groomed
makes q very good appearance.
The eradication of little prejudice
makes . great difference in an sppre-
citation of animals and even of
our fellow men. have known many
instances Of people who were neglect
ed and summed by others in the COM
and who went to the dogs, but
might have made worthy, respected
citizens had they received a little at
tention and encouragement-good feed
and careful grooming. The street cars
are all open like our summer cars, and
have the same arrangement for ringing
up fares, and signal gongs- They are
Of two widths, one that to which we
are accustomed, the other very narrow,
not more than two-thirds as great
On some streets both kinds of cars
run on the same route, third line of
rails being laid for the purpose. mo
ticed one feature which might perhaps
be adyantageously introduced into
some of our cities, cars for transport
ing freight. some closed and some Q
mere platform. / could not see that
they interfered with travel at all, but
they seem to be well pstronized. and
are regarded as great convenience.
The Brazilians seem to be badly
mixed people. The Portuguese, negro
md Indian elements have been shaken
up together until each has lost its in
by absorbing characteristics
IF the others. / did not see an indi-
7idual of either race that / could IN
,esitatingly pronounce of pure blood.
The universal custom of gathering
It the windows and in the bal
comics toward evening afforded an
excellent opportunity for observ-
ng these peculiarities. In many
/ family group / observed the char
lcteristics of each race plainly
marked. One child with thick lips,
ull nose, black complexion and kinky
lair; the next, coarse, black, straight
lair, thin face and brown complexion;
md . third, perhaps with fair features
md red hair. There seems to be no
ace distinctions. All associate to
ether upon terms of perfect equality.
The line Of caste is rather between the
exes. Women are regarded as inferior.
nd are greatly hampered by social
sage. Boys cease to show any respect
or their mothers or regard their au-
hority before they reach their teens,
which destroys family discipline. In
act i am told there is no such thing
8 family discipline. Children are
ever governed or punished, though
iris are kept secluded, and until mar
led are never permitted to meet gen.
lemen except once in q while at a pub |
&c entertainment There is no court |
hip or love-making between young |
eople, and no marriages which are
he result of mutual attachment Such /
Kings are arranged by the parents,
nd the parties most interested may
erhaps have never seen each other |
revious to the wedding. After mar
iage women are somewhat less re-
tricted. The Brazilisns have the rep
tation of being very immoral. can
OF say they are not, but / saw moth
othing to support the reputation.
me would see far more evidence of
ice and immortality in New York in
ne same time.-Cor. Christian at Work.